Ferne McCann was hopeful acid attacker ex Arthur Collins would get off without a prison sentence, New! Magazine claims

Pregnant Ferne McCann is comforted by Holly Willoughby on This Morning

While Ferne, 27, has publicly condemned his actions, New! magazine reports that Ferne was hopeful of maintaining a future with him prior to sentencing.

A friend of Ferne's told the mag: "Ferne is deluded. She really didn't think he would get a long sentence. In fact, she was hoping he would get off. She'd been clinging on to the hope that he would be released and they could be a family.

"Before he was sentenced, she kept saying, I wish none of this had happened, I wish he was out and I wish we were together. Now she has to come to terms with the fact that their relationship has no future."

The Sun Online has contacted a representative for Ferne for comment.

PA:Press Association

Collins was jailed for 20 years for showering revellers with acid in East London night club, Mangle, last May

Moment of Arthur Collins acid attack in London nightclub caught on CCTV

Ferne is currently bringing up the couple's two-month-old daughter as a single mum.

A statement issued by the reality star's reps after Collins was found guilty said: “Ferne's thoughts are of course with the innocent people caught up in the events at Mangle last April.

“No-one should ever be faced with violence on a night out.

“Having given birth a month ago, Ferne is focusing on being the best mother she can be.

“She long ago accepted that she would be doing this alone and is determined to provide the best possible future for her daughter.”

The Essex girl amazed fans with her slim figure over the weekend, just two months after giving birth.

She shared a tracksuit selfie on Instagram which has racked up nearly 40,000 likes and had fans commenting with in their droves.

Ferne McCann

Ferne has amazed fans with her slim figure just two months after giving birth

Some wrote: "Omg u look amazing for just having a baby I'm still needing to loose and he's 8 month ha new year gonna work harder tho xxxx.